Luggage item

ABSTRACT

A luggage item, in particular suitcase, has two shells made of essentially solid material, which shells are connectable to each other via a closure element which runs around the majority of the circumference and can be opened out in a fully opened state of the closure element, a region made of flexible material being arranged along at least a part of the circumference on at least one side of the closure element between the closure element and the shell made of essentially solid material, so that access into the interior of the luggage item is possible even with only partially open state of the closure element.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Applicant claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of European Application No. 18164474.1 filed Mar. 28, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a luggage item, in particular a suitcase, having two shells made of essentially solid material, which shells are connectable to each other via a closure element which runs around the majority of the circumference and can be opened out in a completely open state of the closure element.

2. Description of the Related Art

Luggage items, in particular suitcases or trolleys, are usually manufactured in two different production variants, hard-shell or soft-shell, wherein the two shells are connectable to each other via a closure element, for example a zipper. The main compartment of the luggage item thus forms the region between the two shells. Hard-shell suitcases are characterized by higher strength and thus higher stability, whereby the luggage item and its contents are better protected against damage and external influences. However, access into the interior of the luggage item is only possible when both shells, by opening the closure element on at least three sides, are separated from each other and the two shells are unfolded from each other. The usually peripherally arranged closure element must therefore be opened almost completely to enable access to the main compartment of the luggage item. Quick access into the interior without completely opening the luggage item is disadvantageously not possible or only cumbersome in a hard-shell suitcase.

This possibility indeed discloses a soft-shell suitcase, in which the shells are manufactured, for example, from fabric having integrated stiffening elements, whereby the shells have a certain elasticity. If the closure element, which connects the two shells of the luggage item with each other, is partially opened, for example, on only one or two sides of the luggage item, the shells can be pushed apart from each other or bent up due to the elasticity of the item of the material. Access into the interior of the luggage item is thus possible without the need for complete opening. Soft-shell suitcases, however, offer less protection against mechanical influences due to the materials used. Thus, not only the luggage item but also its contents are less efficiently protected against damage. In addition, soft-shell suitcases usually have a higher weight than hard-shell suitcases and their production is usually more difficult and thus more expensive.

For example, a hard-shell suitcase is known from US 2014/0353104 A1, which has an additional opening at the front side to enable further access to the interior of the suitcase. This opening requires a further closure element or a zipper on the front side of the suitcase. Thus, disadvantageously, an additional zipper must be integrated into a shell of the suitcase, thereby increasing production costs. In addition, the additional opening is accessible only by opening out a flap, thereby increasing the outer dimensions of the suitcase. This is particularly problematic in aircraft due to the limited space available, in particular when storing the suitcase in an overhead luggage compartment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a luggage item, in particular a suitcase, which enables access into the interior of the luggage item even when the closure element is only partially opened. Furthermore, the possibility of the facilitated intrusion in a partially opened state of the luggage item does not essentially alter the dimensions of the luggage item and, moreover, does not result in deterioration of the stability or strength of the luggage item. The luggage item should be produced as simply and inexpensively as possible.

The object of the invention is achieved by a luggage item mentioned above, in particular a suitcase, in which a region made of flexible material is arranged along at least a part of the circumference on at least one side of the closure element between the closure element and the shell made of essentially solid material, so that access into the interior of the luggage item is also possible with partially open state of the closure element. Due to the fact that the closure element does not directly adjoin the shell made of essentially solid material along a part of the circumference of at least one side, but rather a flexible region is arranged between the closure element and the shell, the flexible region can be displaced and access into the interior is enabled when the closure element is partially open. In other words, if the closure element is opened on the side of the luggage item on which the flexible region is located, access into the interior of the luggage item is possible by pushing or bending up the flexible region outward or inward. A complete opening of the closure element or an unfolding of the two shells formed from essentially solid material is not required. The outer dimensions of the luggage item remain essentially unchanged with partially open closure element. The flexible region has a variable shape or size due to the elasticity of the flexible region. The luggage item according to the invention thus has the higher stability of a hard-shell suitcase and at the same time, on at least that side surface which has the flexible region, the higher flexibility of a soft-shell suitcase. The larger the dimensions of the flexible region, the easier and more convenient the access to the interior of the luggage item and the larger items can be inserted in the interior of the luggage item or removed via the opening arranged around the flexible region. The flexible region can be configured rectangular, oval, circular, etc.

Preferably, the flexible region is formed by a strip made of flexible material. The dimensions of the strip and on which side surface or on which side surfaces such strips are arranged, are variable. The larger the at least one strip, the easier it is to access the interior of the luggage item.

According to one embodiment variant, a region made of flexible material is arranged along the part of the circumference on only one side of the closure element between the closure element and the shell made of essentially solid material. Preferably, the flexible region is arranged along the part of the circumference at the upper side of the luggage item when the luggage item is located in its normal position (for example, standing upright). Advantageously, the stability or strength of the luggage item is only minimally influenced by the arrangement of the flexible region on only one side of the closure element.

In order to provide particularly simple and quick access into the interior of the luggage item, in a particularly preferred embodiment, a region made of flexible material is arranged along the part of the circumference on both sides of the closure element between the closure element and each shell made of essentially solid material. The two-sided arrangement of the flexible region of the closure element further facilitates access into the interior of the luggage item with partially open closure element. The closure element has to be partially opened essentially only at that location having the flexible region, in order to provide access into the interior of the luggage item.

The flexible region can also have special formations of the flexible material. For example, it can be advantageous to form the flexible region with fabric parts which are sewn together by corresponding cutting patterns so that an intrusion in the interior of the suitcase is additionally facilitated. This can be enabled, for example, by special folding structures or other known techniques from the textile industry.

Each region made of flexible material is preferably at least 4 cm wide and at least 15 cm long. The greater the dimensions of the flexible region, the smoother the bending open of the flexible region will be, which enables quicker and more convenient access into the interior of the luggage item. In one embodiment, the flexible region extends essentially over the entire dimension of a side surface.

According to one embodiment, the flexible region is formed from textile material. The softness of the textile material enables a pushing apart or bending open of the flexible region particularly easily with partially open closure element.

Alternatively or additionally, the flexible region can be formed from elastic material. The elasticity of the elastic material makes a bending open of the flexible region particularly easy. An elastomer, a stretchable fabric, or a silicone rubber or the like is preferably provided as the elastic material.

The closure element, by which the two shells of the luggage item can be connected to each other, is formed in particular by a zipper.

Preferably, at least one compartment is arranged along the part of the circumference in the interior of the luggage item. The compartment in the interior of the luggage item ensures that items are not left uncontrolled or loose in the interior of the luggage item. If the closure element is partially opened along the flexible region, objects can simply be removed from the compartment or stowed in the compartment during an intrusion in the interior of the luggage item via the flexible opening.

According to one embodiment variant, one of the two shells is configured deeper than the other shell. The different depth can go so far that a shell is designed essentially as a lid or flap. In this embodiment, the flexible region is preferably arranged either on an edge region of the lid or flap and/or on a side surface adjacent to the lid or the flap. In conventional hard-shell suitcases, the two shells of the luggage item are usually configured the same depth or symmetrical and the closure element runs in the plane of symmetry of the two shells.

In order to ensure the required stability and strength of the luggage item, the shells are preferably formed from solid material, in particular plastic or metal. As a result, the two shells are essentially dimensionally stable and have a low weight.

Alternatively, the two shells can be formed from flexible material and reinforcing elements. In this embodiment variant, the flexible region according to the invention is a region of a side surface which has no reinforcing elements. The reinforcing elements can, for example, be formed from foam. The material of the reinforcing elements preferably has a higher rigidity than the flexible material of the two shells of the luggage item. The reinforcing elements increase the stability and strength of the two shells. The reinforcing elements can be mounted in the exterior or interior of the flexible material. If they are mounted in the interior, the exterior of the suitcase can be designed simple and neutral and the flexible intrusion cannot be seen from the outside, by which a particularly restrained form is possible. Examples of advantageous combinations of solid and flexible material are, for example, a combination of material which is laminated on flexible foam and can be brought into a three-dimensional shape, combined with a reinforcing element made of hard plastic in the interior. Alternatively, the combination of poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide available under the brand Kevlar®— or carbon materials in soft thermoplastic matrix, such as TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) is conceivable, which are reinforced in the interior by stiffer, back-injected regions of hard plastic.

In order to enable a comfortable and easy transport of the luggage item, at least two wheels can be arranged on at least one shell. The wheels are usually arranged on the lower side of the luggage item. In this case, the flexible region is preferably arranged on the upper side of the luggage item.

To further simplify the transport of the luggage item by the user, at least one per se known, preferably extendable, handle bar can be arranged on a shell.

Preferably, the luggage item on at least one shell has a holding element on the outside, to which a bag or the like can be attached. In the arrangement of a handle bar, this is preferably arranged on the opposite shell or side surface of the holding element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a variant of a luggage item according to the invention in the standing state having a flexible region on the upper side of the luggage item;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a luggage item;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a luggage item;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the luggage item according to FIG. 3 in the fully opened state;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a further embodiment variant of a luggage item in the fully open state;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment variant of a luggage item in the fully open state;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment variant of a luggage item in the fully open state;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a luggage item in a fully opened state, wherein the shells are made of flexible material with reinforcing elements; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a further embodiment variant of a luggage item in the fully open state, wherein the shell and the lid are made of flexible material with reinforcing elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a luggage item 1, in particular a suitcase, having two shells 2, 3 of essentially solid material, wherein the shells 2, 3 are connected to each other via a closure element 4, for example a zipper, which runs around the majority of the circumference. In a completely open state of the closure element 4, the two shells 2, 3 can be opened out (see, for example, FIG. 4). A region 6 made of flexible material is arranged between the closure element 4 and at least one shell 2, 3 (hatched drawn) on a side surface of the luggage item 1, in the standing state of the upper side 5 a, along at least part of the circumference. As a result, access into the interior of the luggage item 1 is possible in this region 6 even with partially open state of the closure element 4.

The shells 2, 3 of the luggage item 1 are formed from solid material, in particular plastic or metal.

The region 6 is preferably formed from elastic material. The elasticity of the material particularly makes it easily possible to push apart or bend open the flexible region 6. Alternatively or additionally, the region 6 can be formed from textile material.

The closure element 4 only has to be opened on that side surface on which the region 6 of flexible material is arranged (in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 the upper side 5 a), in order to enable access into the interior of the luggage item 1. The two shells 2, 3 can thus continue to be connected to each other on at least three side surfaces 5 b, 5 c, 5 d via the closure element 4, wherein access into the interior of the luggage item 1 is still enabled. The outer dimensions of the luggage item 1 do not change with access into the interior, as would be the case with a complete opening of the luggage item 1, that is, an unfolding of the two shells 2, 3 (see, for example, FIG. 4). Because the closure element 4 essentially only needs to be opened on one side, for example, the upper side 5 a, the position of the two shells 2, 3 remains unchanged relative to each other or the opening angle of the two shells 2, 3 is essentially zero degrees.

The region 6 is formed in FIG. 1 by a strip 7 of flexible material, wherein the dimensions of the strip 7 can vary. The wider and longer the strip 7, the easier the access into the interior of the luggage item 1. The strip 7 of flexible material is preferably integrated directly into the essentially solid material of the shells 2, 3 or produced in one piece with the shell(s) 2, 3 during the production of the luggage item 1. This integral embodiment enables the production of the luggage item 1 particularly easily and inexpensively. The strip 7 can also be attached to a region on the outer edge 8 of at least one shell 2, 3, which has a recess according to the dimensions of the strip 7, with different attachment methods.

An extendable handle bar 18 is arranged on a shell 2 in the illustrated embodiment variant of the luggage item 1. In addition, wheels 19 can be arranged on the lower side 5 c of the luggage item 1. Four wheels 19 are arranged on the lower side 5 c of the luggage item 1 in the illustrated embodiment. However, embodiment variants having only two wheels 19 are also possible (not shown). The shell 3 has, on the front side 5 e, a holding element 20 for a bag 21 (shown in FIG. 2) or the like.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment variant of a luggage item 1, wherein a region 6 of flexible material in each case is arranged along the part of the circumference on both sides of the closure element 4, that is, between the closure element 4 and each shell 2, 3. The flexible region 6 is accordingly arranged on both sides of the closure element 4 (here on the upper side 5 a of the standing luggage item 1).

A bag 21 or the like is arranged on the holding element 20. The bag 21 or the like is accordingly arranged on the front side 5 e of the luggage item 1 and not, as usual, on its upper side 5 a (usually bags, such as laptop bags, are placed on the upper side 5 a of the luggage item 1 and leaned against the handle bar 18 during transport). By arranging the bag 21 or the like on the front side 5 e of the luggage item 1, access into the interior of the luggage item 1 via the flexible region 6 which is arranged on the upper side 5 a of the luggage item 1 is not blocked by the bag 21. Furthermore, the use of a carrying handle 22, which is usually arranged on the upper side 5 a of the luggage item 1, is possible by the attachment of the bag 21 or the like on the front 5 e of the luggage item 1.

In the embodiment variant of a luggage item 1 according to FIG. 3, the flexible region 6 is configured beyond the edge 9 of the upper side 5 a, so that the flexible region 6 extends partially into the adjacent side surfaces 5 b, 5 d. The thus wider flexible region 6 further facilitates access into the interior of the luggage item 1. In an embodiment (not shown), the flexible region 6 can also be extended over the entire side surface 5 a. However, these embodiment variants can weaken the stability of the luggage item 1, but do so only to an extent which does not or scarcely perceptively limits the practical advantages of a hard-shell construction.

FIG. 4 shows the luggage item 1 according to FIG. 3 in a completely open state, wherein the two shells 2, 3 are essentially completely unfolded. A compartment 13 can be arranged in the interior of the luggage item 1. The opening 14 of the compartment 13 is oriented within the luggage item 1 in the direction of the flexible region 6.

The compartment 13 is provided to store objects which are introduced via the flexible region 6 into the interior of the luggage item 1. As a result of the orientation of the compartment 13 within the luggage item 1, the items can be removed easily and quickly from the luggage item 1 or can be stored in the luggage item 1 without having to fully open the luggage item 1 or without the outer dimensions of the luggage item 1 being enlarged.

The closure element 4 is formed by a zipper 10 in the embodiment variants shown. The teeth of the zipper 10 are arranged along the edge 11, 12 of the respective shell 2, 3. The zipper 10 runs here in the plane of symmetry of the two shells 2, 3 of the luggage item 1. The zipper 10 runs centrally through the flexible region 6 on the upper side 5 a.

A shell 2, 3 of the luggage item 1 can also be configured deeper than the other shell 2, 3. FIG. 5 shows such an embodiment in which a shell 3 is designed as a lid 15. The flexible region 6 is arranged in this embodiment at that edge 16 of the lid 15, which is arranged on the upper side 5 a of the luggage item 1 in the closed and upright standing state of the luggage item 1. The shell 2 also has a flexible region 6 on the upper side 5 a of the luggage item 1. If now the closure element 4 is opened at the upper side 5 a of the luggage item 1, the flexible region 6 on the lid 15 and on the shell 2 can be pushed apart, thus enabling access into the interior.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show alternative embodiments of the luggage item 1, wherein in FIG. 6 only the lid 15 and in FIG. 7 only the shell 2 has a flexible region 6.

Alternatively, the shells 2, 3 or the shell 2 and the lid 15 can be formed from flexible material and reinforcing elements 17. The flexible region 6 has no reinforcing elements 17 in these embodiment variants (FIGS. 8 and 9).

In the embodiment according to FIG. 9, the flexible region 6 of the shells 2, 3 is dimensioned larger than in the variant according to FIG. 8. With the luggage items 1 according to FIGS. 1-7, also possible is the embodiment of the flexible region 6 in which the shells 2, 3 are made of essentially solid material. Conversely, it is also possible to integrate a narrower or a flexible region 6 (see FIGS. 1 to 7) arranged on only one of the two shells 2, 3 into a luggage item 1 according to FIG. 8 or 9.

Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A luggage item, in particular suitcase, having two shells made of essentially solid material, which shells are connectable to each other via a closure element which runs around the majority of the circumference and can be opened out in a fully opened state of the closure element, wherein a region made of flexible material is arranged along a part of the circumference on at least one side of the closure element between the closure element and the shell made of essentially solid material, so that access into the interior of the luggage item is possible even with only partially open state of the closure element, wherein the position of the shells remains unchanged to each other.
 2. The luggage item according to claim 1, wherein the region is formed by a strip of flexible material.
 3. The luggage item according to claim 1, wherein a region made of flexible material is arranged along the part of the circumference on one side of the closure element between the closure element and the shell made of essentially solid material.
 4. The luggage item according to claim 1, wherein a region made of flexible material is arranged in each case along the part of the circumference on both sides of the closure element between the closure element and each shell made of essentially solid material.
 5. The luggage item according to claim 1, wherein the region made of flexible material has folding structures or patterns.
 6. The luggage item according to claim 1, wherein the region is formed from textile material.
 7. The luggage item according to claim 1, wherein the region is formed from elastic material.
 8. The luggage item according to claim 1, wherein the closure element is formed by a zipper.
 9. The luggage item according to claim 1, wherein at least one compartment is arranged along the part of the circumference in the interior of the luggage item.
 10. The luggage item according to claim 1, wherein one shell is configured deeper than the other shell.
 11. The luggage item according to claim 1, wherein the shells are formed from solid material, in particular plastic or metal.
 12. The luggage item according to claim 1, wherein the shells are formed from flexible material and reinforcing elements.
 13. The luggage item according any to claim 1, wherein two wheels are arranged on least one shell.
 14. The luggage item according to claim 1, wherein at least one preferably extendable handle bar is arranged on a shell.
 15. The luggage item according to claim 1, wherein at least one shell has a holding element for a bag or the like on the outside. 